Chapter Summary

The vow of Hannah and the birth of Samuel.

Discussion Questions for 1 Samuel, Chapter 1

1. How does Hannah frame her request for a child to God? What do you notice about her language? Why would receiving a son show that God 'remembers' her? (NIV) How has God 'remembered' you?
2. What connections do you see in this chapter on the 'miracle' of Samuel's birth and that of Christ? What does this connection suggest about Samuel?
3. Eli initially think that Hannah has entered the sanctuary drunk. Although he is mistaken in this instance, what do his suspicions tell us about the moral standards of his time?
4. What kind of man is Elkanah? How does he respond to Hannah's situation? What does this reveal about him? In what ways may Elkanah have exacerbated the problem? After Samuel's birth, how does he support Hannah?
5. Peninah, Hannah's co-wife, is described as her 'rival' who 'provoked' her (NIV). What do you think this means? What does Peninah's behaviour reveal about the values of her culture? In what ways might you 'provoke' others? How can you encourage others this week instead?
6. What does this chapter reveal about the importance of patient, perseverant prayer? What is something you struggle to pray for? Why?
7. What does it mean for Hannah to 'give' her son to the Lord (NIV)? How will his life be marked, both physically and missionally? In what ways can you demonstrate your devotion to God in your life this week?
8. Does Hannah trust God? What change do we see in Hannah that demonstrates this trust?
9. What does Hannah's delivery of Samuel to the house of the Lord at Shiloh reveal to Eli about God? What does it reveal to us? How can we encourage one another to see God's faithfulness this week?
10. Pride vs. humility is a significant theme in 1 Samuel. How do you see pride at work in this chapter? How do you see humility's response to pride?

Key Words/Phrase

Bitterness, v. 10.

Characters

God, Eli, Elkhanah, Hannah, Samuel, Peninnah.

Strong Verse(s)

17, 27, 28.